Tanukikoji is a shopping arcade in Sapporo Hokkaido Perfecture Japan, that has been in operation since the frontier time. There are a lot of shopping outlets to buy Hokkaido souvenirs!

Tanukikoji shopping street is the main shopping district in Sapporo and is about 1km-long with around 200 shops that stretches from east to west in downtown Sapporo. The roofed arcade begins at Nishi-1-chome and stops at Nishi-7-chome, which allow shopping regardless of the weather. The arcade was built up during the frontier period. In year 1869, when the Meiji government set up the Hokkaido Development Commission in Sapporo, merchant houses and restaurants started to settle there in what is known today as the Tanukikoji 2 and 3-chome areas. In 1873, the neighborhood became recognised as “Tanukikoji”. The arcade, which many tourists visit, features both old and new shops, souvenir shops, and karaoke bars.

How To Get To Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade

The Tanuki Koji shopping arcade is located at Minami 2 & 3-jo Nishi 1-chom ~ 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, which is about 5-minute walk from Odori Station on the Subway Namboku, Tozai and Toho Lines and 3-minute walk from Susukino Station on the Subway Namboku Line.

Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade What To Buy

At the center, Lane 4 leads to the subway station, which connects to a collection of underground shopping malls. Fashion boutiques are especially popular, and they sell everything from name-brand Western designs to traditional cotton or silk kimonos.

You will be able to find old and traditional merchants selling kimonos, tea or incense side by side with modern stores specializing in computers and software or state-of -the-art electronics and digital cameras - all of which lends it a bazaar-like quality. Many items for sale here are even cheaper than in the 100 yen shops. Check out the Donki’s Store for strange merchandise. Plenty of games centre and coffee shops.

Wood carvings are another popular product in Hokkaido, which might want to consider buying. Many of them are produced by the Ainu and take animal shapes like bears, deer and owls. These and other handmade items are available in the boutiques of Sapporo as well as in museum and hotel gift shops.

Shiroi Koibito Park (白い 恋人 パーク) is a fantastic place based on the ideals of deliciousness, fun and stories of sweets from a bygone era. In addition to housing the Ishiya patisserie Shiroi Koibito chocolate fFactory where this well-known Hokkaido confectionery is produced, the park also has a cafe to allow visitors to savor Ishiya’s original sweets, the Cookiecraft Studio (where budding confectioners can try their hand at making their own Shiroi Koibito cookies), a toy exhibition room and the Rose Garden. The things visitors see, taste and experience here will make for truly “sweet”memories!

Sapporo Station To Shiroi Koibito Park

How To Go To Shiroi Koibito Park From Sapporo Station

Take the Tozai line and head for Miyanosawa, which is the last stop.
When you get off at Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai Subway Line, which is approx. 20 min. from Odori Station.
Take the walkway towards the Supermarket ahead and exit to the surface ,
continue North till you come to a junction and look to your right, a
Huge Grey building is visible (Approx. 7 min. on foot from Miyanosawa Station). That is Shiroi
Kobita Chocolate factory with its beautiful garden.

Getting there may be a little tricky as there was not much signage to
Shiroi Koibito Park. Just remember to walk towards "Cheria", which is an
Education Centre. When you emerge from the front of Cheria, cross the
road and you can't miss the Chocolate Factory building.

Alternative, you can also take a bus from JR Sapporo Bus Terminal (Otaru direction) and get off at the Nishimachi kita 20-chome bus stop. (Chuo bus or JR bus).

Ishiya Chocolate Factory Shiroi Koibito Park

Shiroi Koibito Park Review

Shiroi Koibito Park Opening Hours

Opening hours: 9:00～18:00 （Last Admittance:17:00 , Shop Closing Time:19:00）
*Subject to occasional change, including during the year-end and New Year holidays

Ishiya Chocolate Factory Entrance Fee

Ishiya Chocolate Factory Entrance Fee

High school students and older
General : ￥600 / Groups of 20 or more : ￥500

Junior high school students and younger General : ￥200 / Groups of 20 or more : ￥150

*Free Admission for Infants Aged Three or Younger.

*No Pets Allowed.

Below are the collections of visitors' reviews:

Ishiya Patisserie Shiroi Koibito

"Fun to all through of the buildings. You can
go to the base of the clock tower and get your tickets for the Shiroi Koibito park day trip. There are all sort of memorabilia from cups
and containers related to drinking chocolate over the last few 100
years. You also get to see the factory productions and how they churn out
the famous Shiroi Koibito white lover cookies. The garden grounds are amazing and great
for children, especially the numerous collection of mini doll houses
for the kids to play with. The day trip finishes with a choral
performance of their mannequin bakers singing at the top of the building
overlooking the grounds."

"This is the place where thousands of thousands of the famous 白色恋人 cookies are made, having originated here in Hokkaido. This place can be
easily access via Tōzai Line (Miyanosawa Station) about 7 stations from
Odori Station. Upon arrival at Miyanosawa Station, just follow the sign
all the way for about 5-10mins."

Ishiya Chocolate Factory At Sapporo

"The exterior of the Shiroi Koibito park (白い 恋人 パーク) is like a fantasy place, with beautiful
architectures and many scenic spots, great for photo-taking! Inside the
park, there is a large shop selling the famous shiroi koibito white lover 白い恋人 chocolates, cookies,
candies and souvenirs. Also they have scheduled candy-making sessions
too. Interesting place to visit!"

"If you love cookies with chocolate, then this is definitely a place you must visit! Shiroi Koibito park is also the location of the Ishiya
Chocolate Factory in Sapporo, one of the oldest and most famous Chocolate Factory
in Hokkaido and also Japan, well known for their famous white lover cookies and
sweets. The tour is quite interesting and enjoyable with beautiful
chocolate cup collection. The tour trip also shows the history of the factory and
how their famous Shiroi Koibito white lover cookies are made. The park itself offers beautiful mini
houses with lots of flowers and photo opportunity sites. There is also a show
from the tower and balconies that happens at specific schedule
throughout the day. The gift shop offers their famous treats and fresh
drinks for visitors to enjoy and bring home. A must visit site in
Sapporo!"

Ishiya Chocolate Review

"It was like one of the attractions in Sapporo but you can buy Shiroi
Koibito cookies anywhere in Japan (especially at the airport shops)."

"This is Ishiya patisserie Shiroi Koibito, where they make the famous white lover 白色恋人 cookie. Love this place
with the beautiful lush roses and magnificent exterior with intricate
details. We paid to walk through the production line but my kids did not want to make a cookie, so no comment on that. Many
pictures opportunities and in the cold weather, enjoyed the chocolate
soft cream ice-cream outdoor too. Parking is free."

"We visited this place thinking that it
would just be a chocolate factory showing their history and how the
chocolates were made. But we were so wrong! This place had so much more
things. The rose garden and toy museum were one of them. My favourite
place was the one where we could see through a glass panel and look at
how our favourite white chocolate cookies were made! Overall, this is a great place
for families with kids to visit."

"Before exiting the station, get a map
from the control station (see photo). Yes, they even printed them in
colours. There are some signages fixed onto the lamp posts once you exit
the station. So keep a lookout. The cookie-making class is conducted in
mass so be early (arrive in the morning if you are keen to participate)
because they have a schedule for that. I enjoy watching the cookie
production. There's even a mailing service for your cookie at the retail
store! But the service is not available during the weekend when I was
there."